Refrigerator-car.



No. 687,344. Patented Nov. 26, |90I.

M. E. SCHMIDT & T. J. RYAN.

REFRIGERATOR CAR.

(Application filed Nov. 26, 1898. Renewed May 16, 1901.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

MAx E. SCHMIDT, or PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY, AND THOMAS J. RYAN, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS, EY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, To AUGUSTUS TREADWELI., JR., or NEW YORK, N. Y.

REFRlGERATOR-CAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 687,344, dated November 26, 1901.

Application filed November 26, 1898. Renewed May 16. 190].. Serial No. 60,614. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom t may concern: by the movement of the car and to store up Be it known that we, MAX E. SCHMIDT, of sufficient surplus energy when the car is in Princeton, Mercer county, New Jersey, and motion to operate it at any time, all of which THOMAS J. RYAN, of Chicago, Cook county, will more fully hereinafter appear.

Illinois, have invented certain new and use- In constructing a car in accordance with 55 ful Improvements in Refrigerator-Cars, of our improvements we use a body portion A which the following is a specification. of the desired size, shape, and strength to Our invention relates to that class of railhold the various mechanisms in position. way-cars which are used for carrying freight, This body portion is insulated in any of the a'ro vegetables, and dressed meats and which are usual manners, so as to prevent the tempera- 6o commonly known in the art as refrigeratorture of the air inside the car from being afcars,7 and particularly to the means by which fected by the outside thermal conditions. the temperature in the car is maintained at The car is supported, as is usual, on trucks a predetermined or desired point. arranged at each end and which are provided x5 The object of the invention is to provide a with the usual axles B and car-wheels B. 65 simple, economical, and eflicient refrigerator- In order to provide for refrigeration in the car; and the invention consists in the feacar during its movements and use the movetures, combinations, and details of construcments ofthe car to accomplish such purposes, tion hereinafter described and claimed. we provide a series of pipes or conduits C of 2o In the accompanying drawing rthe figure suitable diameter and length to confine and 7o represents a longitudinal sectional elevation guide the gas of an ammoniacal liquor or simiofacar constructed in accordance with ourimlar material while in its extended condition provements and which for the sake of clearthrough the body of the car. The reactions ness is shown in diagrammatic form. caused by the expansion and circulation of In the art to which this invention relates this gas are so well known in the art of re- 75 it is well known that there are upward of frigeration that We do not consider it neceseighty thousand refrigerator-carsin usein the sary or advisable to describe the same here. United States, which consume when the cars To cool and condense the gases into an amare in use a great` many tons of ice per day. moniacal liquor after they have circulated 3o It will be seen, therefore, that the use of ice through the car and absorbed a quantity of 8o alone in these cars entails an enormous outheat. we provide such pines with a primarv lay of money. The labor of loading and nncooling or condensing coil I) and arrange it loading the ice also entails an enormous expreferably in a cooling-tank E in the roof of pense, as well as long periods of delay. For the car. This tank is adapted to hold a body instance, in transit from California to Chi-` of liquid water d, so that as the ammoniacal 85 cago the cars have to be iced Several times, liquor is passed through the same it is conso that they are side-tracked at these icing or densed and cooled. To furtherassist in coolreplenishing stations and delayed from one ing vand condensing the ammoniacal liquor to twenty-four hours. The loss of time, therewe provide one end of the car with a vertical 4o fore, when considered alone, aggregatesaconpipe or cylinder G, which is provided with a 9o siderable expense, and when taken in confunnel g at its upper end arranged to be nection with the labor involved means a large turned in the direction in which the car is financial outlay. moving and scoop in the atmospheric air and The object of our improvement, therefore, with perforations g to provide means for prois to remove these objections and provide moting the circulation thereof. The circu- 95 means to keep the atmosphere of the car at lating-pipe is provided witha second cooling a low temperature and prevent putrefaction or condensing coil D', arranged in the Vertiof the goods stored in the car. To accomcal cylinder and in the path of the inrushing plish'this purpose, we provide a refrigerating air, so that as the ammoniacal liquor circuapparatus adapted to be operated primarily lates through the same the air contacts it and roo assists in cooling any liquor that may be contained therein. To assist in further cooling the ammoniacal liquor, a water-supply pipe H is provided, the end of which has a sprinkler h arranged in the vertical cylinder, so that water in a 4finely-divided condition may be spread on the condensing-pipes of the refrigerating medium to saturate the same.VV The inrushing air tends to evaporate this water on the condensing-pipes and cool the .refrigerating medium.

The cooling-tank E, above described,which is arranged in the roof of the car, is adapted to contain a body of water d and is preferably open at both ends and provided with lattice or screen work e and e', so that as the car rushes along the air enters the tank, passes over the body of water or exposed coil, as the case may be, and assists in keeping the same in a cooled condition. To supply water to this cooling-tank and to the sprayer in the vertical cylindrical pipe, a force-pump L2 is provided, which has a delivery-pipe H' leading to the cooling-tank on the roo f. This su pply-pipe has two branch pipes h and the pipe H, above alluded to. 4 The branch pipe h has its outlet arranged in the water-receptacle of the cooling-tank and is provided with a ballvalve h2, so that when the water in such tank is at a low level a fresh supply may be obtained, and when the water in the tank rises to the level shown in the drawing the ball 'is raised and the further supply of water shut o. At the same time, however, a supply of Water passes through the pipe H and is forced through the sprinkler h. As the water passes from the sprinkler and down through the vertical pipe it is caught in a waste-pan H2, from which it may be withdrawn to the forcepump by means of the pipe h3.

At times the waterin the cooling-tank on the roof of the car will be raised to a temperature where it can no longer perform itsV functions, owing to the heat absorbed from the ammoniacal 1iquor,so that it becomes necessary to discharge such body of water and obtain a fresh supply. In order to accomplish this result, the water-receptaclein the cooling-tank is provided with a thermostat J, arranged 'in the tank so as to be affected by the. temperature ofthe liquid. The tank is provided with a waste-chamber D2,arranged thereunder, while apipe d2 connects the same. This pipe is provided with a valve darranged to open and close the connection between the water-receptacle and waste-chamber. This 'valve is alsoarran ged to be operated by means ing the same and drawingthe armature over'` to the position shown in the drawing, thence through wires 3 and 4 back to the battery. As will be seen from an inspection of the drawingwhen the current flows in the direction above indicated the armature-lever is operated so as to close the valve d3, and there.

by the communication between the waterchamber and the waste-chamber. lVhen the temperature of the water is raised, so as to impair its efciency as a cooling agent, the thermostat is operated so that the current ows from battery K and through wire 1 to the therm ostat,thence through wire 5,through electromagnet k, and thence through wires 6 and 4: back to the battery. This operation denergizes the electromagnet lo and energizes the electromagnet k, so that the armature-lever is drawn to its opposite position and into contact with the electromagnet lo to open the valve d3. The water in the waterreceptacle is then allowed to discharge into the Waste-chamber,- from which it is in turn discharged through the pipe D8 to the wastereceptacle H2, from whence it can be pumped over again. The discharge of the water in the water-receptacle permits the ball-valve H2 to drop and as a consequence opens the outlet in the branch pipe h and furnishes the water-chamber with a freshps'upply of water. When the ammoniacal liquor has become cooled, it enters the condenser L, from which it is withdrawn bythe action of the pump L through the pipe Z. The ammoniacal pump lbeing operated forces the ammoniacal liquor into the large pipes, which permits it to expand into a vaporized or gaseous state, and thusexpand and lowerthe temperature to the desired or predetermined point.

It is essential and necessary that economical means be provided for operating the pumps IOO with which the water and ammoniacal liquor are kept in circulation. This means Amust be simple in construction and of a light Weight in order that it may be carried by the car and not occupy too much space therein and interfere as little as possible with the cost of running the same. To accomplish this result and provide means for operating this pump, as well as the other mechanism hereinafter described, when the car is in motion or during a standstill at stations or other points, an electric generator M is provided and arranged at some convenient point, so that its armature-shaft may be driven by means of a belt or other gearing n direct from one of the axles B of the car. This means of generating electric power is a decided advantage in that it does away with the necessity of having'a prime mover operated by the steam energy of the locomotive, which is not only expensive, but involves intricate mechanisms and connectingA mediums. Arranged, preferably, adjacent to this generator of electric current is an electric mfotor N, electrically connected with the poles of the generator. During the running off the IIO IZO

' eem-14 car the electric generator develops sufficient current tov operate the motor; but when the car is at a standstill the generator no longer performs this function, thereby permitting the contents of the car to be destroyed or their value impaired.

In order to provide for the stopping of the car in transit, a secondary battery O is provided and interposed between the generator of electric current and the motor, so that the current as fast as it is formed is fed to this set of batteries to energize the same, or, in other words, transform the material composing the elements in such batteries from an inactive to an active material, so that the potential differences of the elements may be taken advantage of to generate current and operate the motor. In fact, thisset of batteries furnishes the energy forlthe driving of the motor in that all the energy must first pass into the batteries from which the motor will draw the necessary quantity, while the surplus is stored for emergencies. The batteries, dynamos, and motor are connected together by means of the wires 7, 8, 9, and 10. The armature of the motor is connected with a crank-shaft P on a suit-able frame p by means of the pulley p' and the belt P. The crank-shaft is connected with movable pistons in pumps L and L2, so as to operate nsuch pumps whenever desirable or necessary.

When the car is stationary, it is highly desirable to have a quantity of air forced into the vertical tubular/pipe G, so as to assist in evaporating the water on the surface of the condensing-coil D. In order to accomplish this result, a blower R is provided, which has its outlet-piper4 connected with the vertical tubular pipe at'any desired point, so that during the' operation of the blower air is furnished such pipe and may pass out through the upper opening g or the openings g at the bottom thereof.` To operate this blower, an electric motor S is provided and electrically connected with the battery by means of the wire l1, switch 12, wires 13 and 8, thence with the battery O, wires 7 and let to the motor. The current therefore when the switch is closed may travel from the battery through the Wires 7 14, through the motor S, back by wires l1, 12, 13, and 14 to the battery, which will cause the motor to operate and furnish the desired quantity of air.

While we have described our invention with more orless minuteness as regards details and as being embodied in certain precise forms, yet we do not desire to be limited thereto unduly or any more than is pointed out in the claims.

We claim- 1. In a car of the class described, the combination of a car provided with an insulated body portion, a pipe or pipes for conveying and guiding the cooling medium through the car, a coil of pipes or similar element arranged outside of the car-body and connected with the guiding-pipes for the purpose of cooling or condensing the cooling medium, a second coil of pipes arranged to be contacted by water and atmospheric air to assist in further cooling the cooling medium, a force-pump for circulating the cooling medium through its circulating-pipe and coils, and means for furnishing a supply of water to the second coil, substantially as described.

2. In a car of the class described, the combination of a car provided with an insulated body portion, a cooling-tank or similar receptacle arranged on the roof of the car lengthwise thereof and provided with openings at each end thereof through which air may circulate, pipes for conveying and guiding the cooling medium through the car, a cooling or condensing pipe or pipes arranged in the cooling-tank on the top of the car and connected with the pipes for confining and guiding the cooling medium, a force-pump for circulating the cooling medium through the confining and guiding pipes and cooling-coil, and means for operating the force-pump, substantially as described.

3. In a car of the class described, the conibination of a car provided with an insulated body portion, a cooling-tank arranged on the outside of and on the roof of the car extending longitudinally therewith and provided with openings at each end thereof to permit the air to circulate through the same, a vertical pipe or tube arranged in the car and provided with an opening to receive air by the movements of and while the car is in motion, a pipe or pipes for confining and guiding a 'cooling medium through the car, a condensing or cooling coil arranged in the coolingtank on the outside of the car and connected with the guiding-pipes, asecond condensingcoil arranged in the vertical tubes and connected with the first-named coil, a forcepump arranged to circulate the cooling inedium through the confining and guidingpipes and the condensing or cooling coils, and means for operatiu g such force-pump, substantially as described.

4. In a car of the class described, the combination of a car provided with an insulated body portion, a cooling-tank arranged on the outside of and extendinglongitudinally with the roof of the car and provided with a waterchamber having openings at each end thereof through which air may pass as the car is moved, a pipe or pipes for confining and guiding a cooling medium through t-he car, a condensing or cooling coil arranged in the water-chamber connected with the confining and guiding pipes, a force-pump for circulating a cooling medium through the confining and guiding pipes, means for operating such pump, and means for furnishing a supply of water to the water-chamber of the coolingtank, substantially as described.

5. In a car of the class described, the com` bination of a car provided with an insulated body portion, a cooling-tank arranged on the Iog roof ofthe car longitudinal therewith and provided with a water-chamber having openings at each end thereof to permit a circulation of air therethrough when the car is in motion, a waste-chamber arranged under the water-chamber, means for supplying the'water-chamber with a supply of water, means for draining the water in the water-chamber into the waste-chamber, a pipe or pipes for conveying and guiding a cooling medium through the car, a condensing or cooling coil arranged in the water-chamber of the cooling-tank and connected with the confining and guiding pipes, a force-pump connected with such confining and guiding pipes and with the cooling-coil for circulating the cooling medium therethrough, means for operating such pump, and means for supplying water tothe water-chamber, substantially .as described. v

6. In a car of the class described, the cornbination of a car provided with an insulated body portion, a cooling-tank arranged on the roof of the car longitudinally therewith and provided-with water and waste chambers and with openings at each end thereof, a pipe or pipes for confining and guiding a cooling medium through the car, a cooling-coil arranged in the water-chamber of the cooling-tank and connected with the conveying and guiding pipes, a force-pump connected with the confining and guiding pipes for circulating a cooling medium therethrough, a second pump for furnishing a supply of water to the waterchamber, valve mechanism for closing and opening the connections between the water and Waste chambers, a thermostat arranged in the water-chamber to operate such valve and open and close the same, and means for operating the above-named pumps, substantially as described. p

7, In a car of the class described, thecombination of a car provided with an insulated body portion, a cooling-tank arranged on the roof thereof longitudinally therewith and provided with a water-chamber having openings at each end thereof, a pipe or pipes for coniining and guiding a cooling medium through the car, a cooling or condensingcoil arranged in the water-chamber of the cooling-tank and connected with the confining and guiding pipes and with a force-pump, a force-pump connected with the cooling or condensing coil and with the confining and guiding pipes for circulating the cooling medium .therethrough, a pump for furnishing a supply of water to the water-chamber of the coolingtank, a supply-pipe connecting such pump with the cooling-tank, an outlet-valve on such supply-pipe adapted to be operated by the level of the water in the Water-chamber, and means for operating the above-named pumps, substantially as described.

8 In a car of the class described, the combination of a car provided with an insulated body portion, a cooling-tank arranged on the roof thereof and provided with a Waterfchamber, a vertical tube4 or chamber arranged in the car and provided with an opening at the upper end through which air may be inducted or exhausted, a pipe or pipes for confining and guiding the cooling medium through the car, a primary cooling or condensing coil arranged in the water-chamber of the coolingtank and connected with'the confining and guiding pipes, a second cooling or condensing pipe arranged in the vertical chamber and connected with the first-named cooling-coil,

a force -pump connected With the cooling pipes and with the pipes for confining andA guiding the cooling medium for circulating such medium therethrough, a pump for furnishing a water-supply to the water-tank, a branch water.- supply pipe connecting with the pump and leading to the water-supply chamber-in the cooling-tank and provided with an outlet therein, a branch pipe connected with the vertical pipe and connected with the water-supply pump for forcing water on the second cooling or condensing pipe, a waste-chamber for the water connected with the water-pump, and means for operating the above named pumps, substantially as described.

9. In a car of the class described, the combination of a car provided with an insulated body portion, pipes for conveying and guiding `the cooling mediumthrough the carpa cooling or `condensing pipe connected with the confining-pipe, an air-blower arranged with its outlet in position to furnish a supply of air to the cooling or condensing pipe when such blower is in motion, an electric motor to operate such blower, a force-pump connected with and arranged to circulate the cooling medium through the above-named pipes, a motor for operating such force-pump, and a secondary battery connected with the motor of the force-pump and the motor of the air-blower to operate the same, substantially as described.

10. In a car of the class described, the combination of a car provided with an insulated body portion, a cooling-tank arranged on the roof thereof and longitudinal therewith, a vertical receptacle arranged at or near one end of the car and provided with a funnel at the upper portion thereof to furnish a supply of air when the car is in motion, a pipe or pipes for confining and guiding a cooling medium through the car, a cooling or condens- IOO IIO

- arranged in the Water-chamberof the coolingtank and connected With the confining and guiding pipes, a second cooling or condensing pipe arranged in the vertical chamber and connected with the irst-named cooling-coil, a force-pump connected with the coolingpipes and the pipes for confining and guidingl the cooling medium for circulating such medium therethrough, a pump for furnishing Water-supply to the Water-tank, a branch Water-supply pipe connecting with the pump and leading to the Water-supply chamber in the cooling-tank and provided with an outlet therein, a branch pipe connected with the vertical pipe and with a Water-supply pump for forcing water on the second cooling or condensing pipe, a Waste-chamber for the Water connected with the Water pump, and means for operating the above-named pumps, substantially as described.

MAX E. SCHMIDT. THOMAS J. RYAN.

Witnesses to the signature of MaX E. Schmidt:

HUToHINsoN SOUTHGATE, A. M. WILSON. Witnesses to the signature of Thomas J. Ryan:

THOMAS F. SHERIDAN, THOMAS A. BANNING. 

